On Thursday, the Baldwin Wallace University community gathered to celebrate the inauguration of Lee Fisher, the 10th president in the university’s 180-year history.
The ceremony was marked with fanfare and excitement, as remarks from colleagues and friends of Fisher were intermingled with musical selections from BW musical ensembles.
Serving in public, private and non-profit sectors, Fisher has called governors, mayors and college presidents his peers, many of which spoke at his inauguration. Notable speakers included Ohio Lt. Governor and BW graduate Jim Tressel (Republican), former Ohio governor Ted Strickland (Democrat), U.S. Representative for Ohio Max Miller (R-Shaker Heights), and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (Democrat).
Speakers praised Fisher for his past of proven leadership, his character and his deep care for others.
On the point of Fisher’s proven track record, Strickland brought up the great recession in 2008. He described how Fisher, serving then as Lt. Governor, gave him “wise counsel” and helped Strickland make decisions to position Ohio well for future growth.
“He’s led with wit and wisdom,” Strickland said. “He’s guided by strong moral values. He has unimpeachable personal integrity. He’s an honorable person, but Lee is also a visionary. He rejects the status quo. He sets goals and pursues them with relentless determination. I believe this university has chosen a proven leader with few equals.”
Many speakers, such as Tressel, Ohio Representative Mike Dovilla and Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem, grew up in the local community and attended BW. All three expressed hope and excitement for the university’s future under Fisher, with Dovilla describing Fisher’s “transformative power,” leading with “growth, wisdom, and an enduring spirit.”
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne described Fisher as a “prolific fundraiser” and a “door opener,” saying that he “breeds opportunities” everywhere he goes. He said he believes that there is no one more ready for this job than Fisher.
Kleem likened Fisher to BW’s founder John Baldwin, who routinely turned “setback to comeback.” Kleem was confident that Fisher is the man for the job, who, like Baldwin, will be able to flip failures into successes and lead BW to thriving prosperity.
Laura Bloomberg, president of Cleveland State University, spoke of what she called “intrepid leadership,” calling Fisher a “deeply caring leader.” Fisher worked as the Dean of CSU’s law school for nine years, and during that time Bloomberg came to know him quite well.
She described a potent memory of Fisher when both of them were welcoming graduates to the stage during a CSU law school commencement ceremony. She recalled how Fisher had something to say to every single student.
“I searched my memory, and I wrote a few down,” Bloomberg said:
“‘I saw your grandfather up in the audience. He’s looking great.’”
“‘I hope your mom is doing okay after her surgery.’”
“‘Congratulations again on your engagement!’”
“‘I’m delighted to see that your family made it all the way from California to be here with you today. That’s so special.’”
Bloomberg said Fisher made these comments over and over, to every student who walked onto the graduation stage. She said that Fisher has a “seemingly limitless ability to notice and care about others.”
After being praised by his colleagues and introduced by his wife, Peggy Zone Fisher, Lee Fisher took the stage and received the Chain of Office, presented to him by Board of Trustee Chair Lee Thomas.
He began his address by stating that he is filled with “unapologetic hope” for the future of BW. In the midst of political strife, Fisher offered a message of unity, noting and thanking friends and colleagues from both sides of the political aisle. He called upon the BW community to come together in these challenging times.
Fisher also gave a message to students: “Be who you are. Get better at who you are. Get better at what you do. Make a better world.” He defined BW as standing for “better world.”
“Don’t think of yourself as students,” Fisher said. “Think of yourselves as future custodians of civility. Think of yourselves as future defendants of democracy. Think of yourselves as future guardians of justice.”
He also emphasized the uniqueness of BW. He said that he doesn’t want BW to try to be like Harvard, or like Ohio State, but instead to embrace its identity as a “university founded on the grit of the grindstone,” a reference to John Baldwin’s legacy of perseverance.
Fisher made three promises to BW students. He declared that when students graduate, they will be leader-ready, career-ready and future-ready. Then, Fisher settled on his final definition of BW.
“BW means one more thing,” Fisher said. “It means building what’s next. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my honor to tell you, the next begins now.”
